Slice,

I had a similar change of heart a few years back. Myself and the group I hunted with were essentially obsessed with arrowing deer. For a few years straight we'd hunt 5 + states and pile the venison up in serious numbers. I don't hunt with any of those guys any more. A few burnt out completely.

For me, what really rekindled my passion was new and different hunting experiences. When was the last time you went squirrel hunting? Ever try coyotes? Duck or goose or maybe grouse? A few years back I was sitting with my Dad's uncle just before he passedand we were talking about hunting and how much he loved it. He loved deer camp to be sure, but he said his favorite animal to hunt was rabbits. He commented that the young guys only seemed to be "deer" guys and many of those only "archery deer guys". Looking back on a life time of great hunts he would talk about pheasant hunts with a buddy and a good dog. Blinds on cold mornings with good friends. Deer camps, rabbit chases and dozens of other stories. I think less than 25% of the guys I know who hunt really hunt anything other than turkeys and deer.

I don't know if it will work for you, but I found trying to call in coyotes to be an extremely tough challenge. It also helped me find more hunting land and meet some nice people. Hunting with my bird dog and helping guys without dogs get a few birds each year has made "hunting" fun for me again. It may sound small, but one of my new favorite things to do is bring a chuck box and make really good meals in the field. Good food makes everything better! I also try to go on 1 "new" hunt each year, this year was Colorado elk and mule deer hunting.

As I get older I learn to just enjoy the hunt itself and the time afield. If it stops becoming fun, I stop and reassess. I still lovearchery hunting deer but I mix it up with other stuff so those long marathon sits don't feel like work.

Best of luck to you... hope it works out well for you.